America’s crown jewels are its national parks. Touted as America’s best idea, the National Park Service is responsible for managing hundreds of units nationwide, encompassing more than 85 million acres in each state and territory of the United States. The national parks are part of our nation’s ethos, and touch millions each year with their rugged beauty.

However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for our national parks to be kept in the condition that Americans expect. Our parks have been “loved to death,” as increasing visitation and aging infrastructure has put these sanctuaries in jeopardy. Across the entire parks system, nearly $12 billion in deferred maintenance projects continue to languish. In Yosemite National Park alone, there are nearly $1 billion in deferred maintenance.